Dear Fellow American,

In case of an after-hours emergency involving a U.S. citizen, please call the Embassy at +355-(0)4-224-7285 thru 89 and ask to speak with the duty officer. Emergency services include lost of U.S. passport, arrest, life-threatening illness, or death of U.S. citizens.

We have also improved our messaging system.  In addition to issuing emergency messages, security messages, and normal messages (not relating to routine demonstrations) through email, the U.S. Embassy will also utilize SMS technology to send messages.  Whenever the ACS section issues emergency, security, or normal messages, we will send an abbreviated version in a text message to U.S. citizens who have registered via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and provided a valid mobile number.  Please add the following number to your contacts – 19028003544 – the ACS section will utilize this number to send text messages.  We encourage all U.S. citizens residing in, or visiting Albania, to update their registration information and include a valid mobile number (Albanian, U.S., or international) in order to take full advantage of this service.   

Information about routine demonstrations are posted on the U.S. Embassy Tirana’s website, under the heading “Demonstration Notices,” and will not be sent to U.S. citizens via SMS or email. Please monitor our website regularly for information about demonstration activities in Albania.

We would also like to inform you that we often update the Consular Information Sheet for Albania to reflect a worldwide standard format, as well as for other changes specific to Albania. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all citizens to use particular caution when you travel to the administrative districts of Malesi e Madhe, Shkoder, and Tropoje, due to the recent spate of criminal activities in these regions and the possible danger to American citizens traveling there. Currently, U.S. government employees are subject to travel restrictions concerning these districts. The full text of this updated Consular Information Sheet is found at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs webpage “Albania: Country Specific Information.”

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs webpage (http://travel.state.gov/), where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except for U.S. Federal Holidays.)

Additionally, please take a moment and read our recent news found at our web page “Information for Travelers” for updated news and information from the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section in Tirana.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana via e-mail at ACSTirana@state.gov, or through the main Embassy telephone number +355-(0)4-224-7285 thru 89.

U.S. Citizen services hours are Monday to Thursday, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m., except for U.S. and Albanian Holidays.  For instructions on how to make an appointment for the services we provide, please visit our web page “Public Services.”

Only person(s) seeking consular services will be admitted into the Consular Section by showing a photo ID.  Exceptions will be made only if those seeking consular services are under 18, or if they are disabled and require assistance.

Please do not bring mobile phones or any electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, or PDAs as they are not allowed within the Consular Section.  We also strongly advise that you do not bring strollers, large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages to the interview as there are no storage facilities on the grounds of our facility.

Applicants who do not follow these instructions will experience considerable delays at the security check point.